The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-02
COAST DEFENSES.
statements and Recomm endatfoHs of the
Chief of Engineers-MOrtar Batteries.

Statements and RecOmm endatfoHs of the
Chief of Ensineers-MOrtar Batteries.
WAsHIEeToS, October 3I.-Gen. Duane,
Chief of Engineers, has made his report to
the Secretary of War. Beyond reference
10 the attached reports of officers in charge
of improvements, the subject OF river and
harbor improvements rec elves little men,
ton in the report, which is devoted large
ly to a statement of the condition Of sea-
coast and lake-front deienses. On this
topic Gen. Duane says that many OF the
woI Ks are dilapidated, and economy re-
quires that they should be kept from de-
cay. The estimates submitted aggregate
$5,234,000, including S2,SSO,000 for
the construction of gun and
mortar batteries, and 81 $50, 600 for sub
msrine mines and appliances for closing
channels. In report upon the subject OF
fortifications made by the board of engi-
report it is said:
demanded to place our sea-coast defences in
BTopcr condition to resist the attacks OF an
enemy. From the difference OF opinions which
exists among certain n0n-miltary experts Is TO
the character of armOr to be used in land de-
fences, the impression has been created thst
this matter is an unsettled and tentative con
dition, and that the policy OF inacti0n now ex.
isting should still continue. But the facts Will
not warrant this conclusion, as more than nine
Sea-cOasts is not 10 be mounted behind iron
projections, but in the rear of eGrthern covers
surmountiDg and shielding the masonry, mag
aZineS, BON 0-pro0fs and store rooms. ParticU-
larly is this true OF the rlfed mortars
which must hereafter play an inn
portant part in the defence OF
reason why the erection OF the batteries requir-
ed for them should be delayed single month.
In word, proper sums may be judiciously ex-
pended, ana much progress toward placing our
coast in defensive condition may be made
indeed, must be made, before the question OF ar
NOR demands consideration"
In accordance with the instructions OF
the Secretary of War the board has also
submitttd d preliminary plans for the de-
fence of the more important sea-board
baTborS. Two typical designs prepared by
the beard which are said to meet all mod
ern requirements are for Notifications con-
stIucted of sand, covering the masonry and
bomb-proofs. The report says that no ar
NOR is now or ever will be required for
such defences. 1t is believed that disap-
peariDg carriages can be constructed
which will carry twelve inch fifty ton
rhed guns, and an appropriation is sug-
gested sufficient to place a few of these
guns ard carriages at each of the principal
ports. The plan of defense by mortar and
gun batteries recommended by the board
involves an expenditure during the next
fiscal year Of 81, $40, 000 which it proposes
to divide among the ports as follows: New
York, $69O,00O; San Francisco, $500 600;
Boston, 2S0, ,0G0: Hampton Roads, $3.50,
600; New Orleans, $4,000; Philadelphia,
$4,000; Washington, $50, COO; Baltimore
$4,000; Portland, $290,OO0; Narragansett
Bay, $500, 600. The plan also contemplates
the preparation of easements, cable shafts,
etc, TO the number of twenty-six, distri-
buted as follows: At New York five, at
San Francisco five, Boston FIVE, Hampton
two, Philadelphia two, Washington one
Bait imore one, Portland three, Nsrrsgan
sett Bay two.